Tomography of Electrospun Carbon Nanotube Polymeric Blends by Focus Ion Beam: Alignment and Phase Separation Analysis from Multicontrast Electron Imaging

© 2017 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim. Multimodal focused ion beam (FIB) imaging on a polydimethylsiloxane/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)/multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) electrospun composite has been applied to discriminate the phase-separated polymer blend and identify MWCNT fillers. Upon tomographic reconstruction, this discrimination has been possible through both atomic number and voltage contrast, the latter being enabled by preferential MWCNT segregation to PMMA. This study suggests that electrospinning could be affecting not only MWCNT alignment but also phase separation dynamics of immiscible polymers, yielding a porous structure throughout the fibers. This work opens the door to correlative materials science in polymer nanocomposites through FIB tomography, where voltage contrast is a main actor. (Figure presented.)

The Multifaceted Function of Granzymes in Sepsis: Some Facts and a Lot to Discover

Sepsis is a serious global health problem. In addition to a high incidence, this syndrome has a high mortality and is responsible for huge health expenditure. The pathophysiology of sepsis is very complex and it is not well-understood yet. However, it is widely accepted that the initial phase of sepsis is characterized by a hyperinflammatory response while the late phase is characterized by immunosuppression and immune anergy, increasing the risk of secondary infections. Granzymes (Gzms) are a family of serine proteases classified according to their cleavage specificity. Traditionally, it was assumed that all Gzms acted as cytotoxic proteases. However, recent evidence suggests that GzmB is the one with the greatest cytotoxic capacity, while the cytotoxicity of others such as GzmA and GzmK is not clear. Recent studies have found that GzmA, GzmB, GzmK, and GzmM act as pro-inflammatory mediators. Specially, solid evidences show that GzmA and GzmK function as extracellular proteases that regulate the inflammatory response irrespectively of its ability to induce cell death. Indeed, studies in animal models indicate that GzmA is involved in the cytokine release syndrome characteristic of sepsis. Moreover, the GZM family also could regulate other biological processes involved in sepsis pathophysiology like the coagulation cascade, platelet function, endothelial barrier permeability, and, in addition, could be involved in the immunosuppressive stage of sepsis. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview on the contribution of these novel functions of Gzms to sepsis and the new therapeutic opportunities emerging from targeting these proteases for the treatment of this serious health problem

The effectiveness and satisfaction of web-based physiotherapy in people with spinal cord injury: a pilot randomised controlled trial

Study Design: Pilot randomised controlled trial. Objectives: The aims of this study were to evaluate the effectiveness and participant satisfaction of web-based physiotherapy for people with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI). Setting: Community patients of a national spinal injury unit in a university teaching hospital, Scotland, UK. Methods: Twenty-four participants were recruited and randomised to receive eight weeks of web-based physiotherapy (intervention), twice per week, or usual care (control). Individual exercise programmes were prescribed based upon participant’s abilities. The intervention was delivered via a website (www.webbasedphysio.com) and monitored and progressed remotely by the physiotherapist. Results: Participants logged on to the website an average of 1.4±0.8 times per week. Between-group differences, although not significant were more pronounced for the 6 minute walk test. Participants were positive about using web-based physiotherapy and stated they would be happy to use it again and would recommend it to others. Overall it was rated as either good or excellent. Conclusions: Web-based physiotherapy was feasible and acceptable for people with SCI. Participants achieved good compliance with the intervention, rated the programme highly and beneficial for health and well-being at various states post injury. The results of this study warrant further work with a more homogenous sample

Large emissions from floodplain trees close the Amazon methane budget

Wetlands are the largest global source of atmospheric methane (CH4), a potent greenhouse gas. However, methane emission inventories from the Amazon floodplain, the largest natural geographic source of CH4 in the tropics, consistently underestimate the atmospheric burden of CH4 determined via remote sensing and inversion modelling, pointing to a major gap in our understanding of the contribution of these ecosystems to CH4 emissions. Here we report CH4 fluxes from the stems of 2,357 individual Amazonian floodplain trees from 13 locations across the central Amazon basin. We find that escape of soil gas through wetland trees is the dominant source of regional CH4 emissions. Methane fluxes from Amazon tree stems were up to 200 times larger than emissions reported for temperate wet forests6 and tropical peat swamp forests, representing the largest non-ebullitive wetland fluxes observed. Emissions from trees had an average stable carbon isotope value (δ13C) of −66.2 ± 6.4 per mil, consistent with a soil biogenic origin. We estimate that floodplain trees emit 15.1 ± 1.8 to 21.2 ± 2.5 teragrams of CH4 a year, in addition to the 20.5 ± 5.3 teragrams a year emitted regionally from other sources. Furthermore, we provide a ‘top-down’ regional estimate of CH4 emissions of 42.7 ± 5.6 teragrams of CH4 a year for the Amazon basin, based on regular vertical lower-troposphere CH4 profiles covering the period 2010–2013. We find close agreement between our ‘top-down’ and combined ‘bottom-up’ estimates, indicating that large CH4 emissions from trees adapted to permanent or seasonal inundation can account for the emission source that is required to close the Amazon CH4 budget. Our findings demonstrate the importance of tree stem surfaces in mediating approximately half of all wetland CH4 emissions in the Amazon floodplain, a region that represents up to one-third of the global wetland CH4 source when trees are combined with other emission sources

Antioxidant compounds recovery from Juçara residue by thermal assisted extraction

This study aimed to recover bioactive compounds by solid-liquid extraction from the agro-industrial residue obtained during juçara fruits processing into pulp. A preliminary study using different solvents (methanol, ethanol and water) indicated ethanol in aqueous solution as the best solvent for antioxidants recovery. Then, a Box-Behnken design was applied considering as independent variables the solvent composition (3070% ethanol in water), temperature (3070 °C) and time (3060 min), in order to evaluate the effects of these factors on antioxidant activity in juçara extract. Results showed that the extracts with higher antioxidant activity were obtained using 30% ethanol at 70 °C for 60 min; measurements included ABTS and DPPH assays, determination of total phenolic content and total monomeric anthocyanins. Furthermore, the effect of pH in antioxidants recovery was evaluated. For this purpose, the 30% ethanol solution was acidified to pH 1 and 2 with HCl. Principal component analysis showed the formation of three distinct groups: one characterized by high bioactive compounds content (pH 1.0), another with superior antioxidant activity (pH 5.75, non-acidified), and finally the group at pH 2 presenting the worst concentrations in the evaluated responses. HPLC analysis showed the presence of cyanidin-3-O-rutinoside and cyanidin-3-O-glucoside in the extracts. Therefore, the conventional solid-liquid extraction using renewable solvent can be successfully applied to recover bioactive compounds from juçara residue, which can be used by different food industries.The authors gratefully acknowledge the institutions: Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento Pessoal deEnsinoSuperior (CAPES), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Embrapa Agroindústria de Alimentos and University of Minho by the financial support of the research work and Juçaí Alimentos for the juçara residue. Ricardo N. Pereira gratefully acknowledge to Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) the financial grant with reference SFRH/BPD/ 81887/2011.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Differences in pregnancy outcomes in donor egg frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles following preimplantation genetic screening (PGS): a single center retrospective study

PURPOSE: This study aims to test the hypothesis, in a single-center retrospective analysis, that live birth rates are significantly different when utilizing preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) compared to not utilizing PGS in frozen–thawed embryo transfers in our patients that use eggs from young, anonymous donors. The question therefore arises of whether PGS is an appropriate intervention for donor egg cycles. METHODS: Live birth rates per cycle and live birth rates per embryo transferred after 398 frozen embryo transfer (FET) cycles were examined from patients who elected to have PGS compared to those who did not. Blastocysts derived from donor eggs underwent trophectoderm biopsy and were tested for aneuploidy using array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) or next-generation sequencing (NGS), then vitrified for future use (test) or were vitrified untested (control). Embryos were subsequently warmed and transferred into a recipient or gestational carrier uterus. Data was analyzed separately for single embryo transfer (SET), double embryo transfer (DET), and for own recipient uterus and gestational carrier (GC) uterus recipients. RESULTS: Rates of implantation of embryos leading to a live birth were significantly higher in the PGS groups transferring two embryos (DET) compared to the no PGS group (GC, 72 vs. 56 %; own uterus, 60 vs. 36 %). The live birth implantation rate in the own uterus group for SET was higher in the PGS group compared to the control (58 vs. 36 %), and this almost reached significance but the live birth implantation rate for the SET GC group remained the same for both tested and untested embryos. Live births per cycle were nominally higher in the PGS GC DET and own uterus SET and DET groups compared to the non-PGS embryo transfers. These differences almost reached significance. The live birth rate per cycle in the SET GC group was almost identical. CONCLUSIONS: Significant differences were noted only for DET; however, benefits need to be balanced against risks associated with multiple pregnancies. Results observed for SET need to be confirmed on larger series and with randomized cohorts

Storage of lyophilized cultures of Lactobacillus bulgaricus under different relative humidities and atmospheres

The viability of lyophilized cultures of Lactobacillus bulgaricus in skim milk, during storage at different temperatures, relative humidities, and atmospheres was investigated. Survival was greatest at 11% relative humidity and at 5°C. Indirect and direct evidence is presented supporting the hypothesis that membrane damage occurs during storage. Experiments on the lipid composition of the cell membrane demonstrate that changes occur with time that are probably the result of oxidation. A study on the lipid composition of the cell membrane by gas chromatography showed that the unsaturated/saturated fatty acid index changes with time during storage

Gravitational waves from single neutron stars: an advanced detector era survey

With the doors beginning to swing open on the new gravitational wave astronomy, this review provides an up-to-date survey of the most important physical mechanisms that could lead to emission of potentially detectable gravitational radiation from isolated and accreting neutron stars. In particular we discuss the gravitational wave-driven instability and asteroseismology formalism of the f- and r-modes, the different ways that a neutron star could form and sustain a non-axisymmetric quadrupolar "mountain" deformation, the excitation of oscillations during magnetar flares and the possible gravitational wave signature of pulsar glitches. We focus on progress made in the recent years in each topic, make a fresh assessment of the gravitational wave detectability of each mechanism and, finally, highlight key problems and desiderata for future work.Comment: 39 pages, 12 figures, 2 tables. Chapter of the book "Physics and Astrophysics of Neutron Stars", NewCompStar COST Action 1304. Minor corrections to match published versio

The effect of post-discharge educational intervention on patients in achieving objectives in modifiable risk factors six months after discharge following an episode of acute coronary syndrome, (CAM-2 Project): a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Objectives</p> <p>We investigated whether an intervention mainly consisting of a signed agreement between patient and physician on the objectives to be reached, improves reaching these secondary prevention objectives in modifiable cardiovascular risk factors six-months after discharge following an acute coronary syndrome.</p> <p>Background</p> <p>There is room to improve mid-term adherence to clinical guidelines' recommendations in coronary heart disease secondary prevention, specially non-pharmacological ones, often neglected.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In CAM-2, patients discharged after an acute coronary syndrome were randomly assigned to the intervention or the usual care group. The primary outcome was reaching therapeutic objectives in various secondary prevention variables: smoking, obesity, blood lipids, blood pressure control, exercise and taking of medication.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>1757 patients were recruited in 64 hospitals and 1510 (762 in the intervention and 748 in the control group) attended the six-months follow-up visit. After adjustment for potentially important variables, there were, between the intervention and control group, differences in the mean reduction of body mass index (0.5 vs. 0.2; p < 0.001) and waist circumference (1.6 cm vs. 0.6 cm; p = 0.05), proportion of patients who exercise regularly and those with total cholesterol below 175 mg/dl (64.7% vs. 56.5%; p = 0.001). The reported intake of medications was high in both groups for all the drugs considered with no differences except for statins (98.1% vs. 95.9%; p = 0.029).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>At least in the short term, lifestyle changes among coronary heart disease patients are achievable by intensifying the responsibility of the patient himself by means of a simple and feasible intervention.</p

Primary healthcare and the construction of thematic health networks: what role can they play?

The enhancement of primary healthcare has been a core strategy for the empowerment of the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS). Recent guidelines issued by OPAS and the Ministry of Health highlight the role it has played as a thematic communication network center, a regulating agent for the access and use of services required for comprehensive healthcare. Sponsored by PPSUS/Fapesp, this study examines the possibilities of the primary healthcare network exercising such a strategic function. Life narratives involving 15 regular users were produced in two cities of ABC Paulista, which have adopted the Family Health Strategy for the organization of their primary healthcare networks. The study presents three main findings: the primary healthcare network serves as an outpost of SUS by producing user values even for high complexity service users; the primary network is perceived is a place for simple care needs; there is shared impotence between users and teams when it comes to the network functioning as the coordinator of care, indicating that it does not possess the technological, operational and organizational material conditions or symbolic conditions (values, meanings, and representations) to be in a central position in the coordination of thematic healthcare networks.O fortalecimento da atenção básica tem sido valorizado como estratégia central para a construção do SUS. Diretrizes recentes emanadas pela OPAS e pelo MS destacam seu papel como centro de comunicação de redes temáticas, como reguladora do acesso e utilização dos serviços necessários para a integralidade do cuidado. O presente estudo, financiado com recursos PPSUS/Fapesp, problematiza as possibilidades da rede básica exercer tal função estratégica. Foram produzidas narrativas de vida de 15 usuários altamente utilizadores de serviços de saúde em dois municípios do ABC paulista, que adotaram a Estratégia de Saúde da Família para organização de suas redes básicas. O estudo apresenta três achados principais: a rede básica funciona como posto avançado do SUS, produzindo valores de uso mesmo para os pacientes utilizadores de serviços de alta complexidade; a rede básica é vista como lugar de coisas simples; há uma impotência compartilhada entre usuários e equipes quando se trata da rede básica funcionar como coordenadora do cuidado, indicando como ela não reúne condições materiais (tecnológicas, operacionais, organizacionais) e simbólicas (valores, significados e representações) de deter a posição central da coordenação das redes temáticas de saúde.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de Medicina PreventivaInstituto Superior de Ciências do Trabalho e da Empresa Instituto Universitário de Lisboa Faculdade de Ciências Médicas Departamento de Saúde ColetivaUniversidade Estadual de Campinas Faculdade de Ciências Médicas Departamento de Saúde ColetivaUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de Medicina PreventivaSciEL